“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
(Galatians 5:19-21)
At the moment of salvation, we are born anew into God’s family. And at that same moment His Spirit takes up residence within us (Romans 8:9, Acts 2:38), yet the sinful nature inherent in the “natural man” remains. This reality explains why Christians often find themselves in a war-like state of being deeply troubled by their sins while possessing graces of the Spirit.
This internal conflict between the natural man and the spiritual man as described so vividly by Paul in Romans 7:15-25 raises a poignant question: Why are God’s people more often disturbed by their sins than comforted by their graces?
A primary reason may be due to the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer and His sensitivity to sin. Much like how the eye, the most sensitive part of the body, is troubled by the smallest irritant, God’s people, with their now sensitive spiritual sight, feel the weight of sin more acutely.[1]
Another reason we may be more troubled by the presence of sin than blessed by the awareness of grace is because our ever-present sins may feel more evident and pervasive since they often are more conspicuous than the quieter, more subtle fruits of the Spirit.
In truth, a troubled, disquieted spirit caused by the presence of sin in the Christian is not just burdensome, for it serves a beneficial purpose. It urges us to pursue repentance, forgiveness, and holiness as well as opportunities for spiritual growth and a deeper experience of God’s grace.
Christ, our sinless Savior, experienced extreme turmoil and near unbearable grief when He bore the sins of His people in His own body on the cross. Pursuing the spiritual insight to see sin from God’s perspective leads us to a deeper appreciation of grace and a stronger aversion to sinning. Further, it is only fitting that because of the sanctifying work of God’s indwelling Spirit, we too should feel a deep disturbance for the presence of any sin within us.
Contemplations:
- The Tender Conscience: In moments of quiet reflection, I recognize the sensitivity of the Holy Spirit to the presence of sin within me. Like a miniscule irritant in my eye, even the smallest sin creates a ripple of discomfort in my soul. And yet I realize this sensitivity is a divine gift, nudging me away from sin and toward holiness.
- The Overwhelming Presence of Sin: Contemplating Galatians 5:19-21, I see the stark contrast between the loudness of sin and the serenity of grace. My sins often feel like towering mountains, casting shadows over the molehills of my graces. This experience drives me to seek God’s forgiveness and grace more fervently.
- Christ’s Turmoil for Our Sins: Reflecting on Christ’s anguish over my sins, I am moved by the depths of His love and sacrifice. Knowing that He endured the very wrath of God for my sin compels me to view my transgressions with a gravity that leads to true repentance and transformation.
- The Purpose of Spiritual Disquiet: In my struggles with sin, I realize that this unease is God’s way of revealing to me the bitter taste of sin. The conviction of His Spirit is a divine pathway to instilling a healthy fear of sin and a longing for God’s righteousness.
Further References for Gal. 5:19-21:
1 Cor. 6:9; Matt. 15:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5
[1] Christopher Love, The Dejected Soules Cure (London: printed for John Rothwell at the Fountain in Cheapside, 1657), 191–195.
